First Drive: 2025 Lincoln Navigator

Our first drive of the 2025 Lincoln Navigator in San Diego began at a standstill. We took in our sunny surroundings and breathed. That’s exactly the vibe that Lincoln is striving for in its fifth generation launch of its flagship vehicle. A signature aspect of the Lincoln brand is its emphasis on driving for wellness and respite.

Warm lights and sound tones greeted us when we opened the door and we climbed in the driver’s seat. Before we engaged the engine, we cued up the Rejuvenation program, an audio-visual immersive experience designed to calm the mind and body. Sounds and sensations projected on the 48-inch panoramic screen and tones pulsed through the gorgeous Revel sound system. We chose our mode: Northern lights, a 10-minute guided meditation, and a bit of aromatherapy designed to stimulate the senses as the lights dimmed low. Lincoln introduced the Rejuvenate program in the Nautilus, but in the massive Navigator, Rejuvenation finds its sweet spot in decadent spacious surroundings. The intentional multi-sensory approach to interior design adds dimension and harmony to the interior to set the mood.

Chill Vibes

The Lincoln Navigator is the embodiment of serenity and strength. Consider Lincoln spokesperson Serena Williams who dropped a new Lincoln spot featuring the Navigator this spring. Lincoln backs up its wellness-focused strategy with data it garnered from a recent study conducted by Wakefield Research that reports 9 out of 10 American use their car as a place to unwind and 39 percent of participants find a long drive relaxing. We’ve had an enduring five-year love affair with the Navigator after we rediscovered it as a vehicle for solace in 2020. We drove a Navigator during the height of the pandemic, and found the functional purpose of why people love to drive them. Our time in the Navigator coincided with the LeCar.co launch, and we saw a lot of parallels on the positioning of the vehicle with wellness experts and neurologists weighing in on how to rethink driving as not an exercise in aggression, but more so a place to let the miles flow. We first saw the new Navigator last summer that builds on this direction. For the 53 percent that find it difficult to find a place to relax, and for those that have a generous automotive budget, Navigator is well positioned to fill that gap.

Driving Impressions

Driving the Lincoln extends its composed mood. While the cabin is comfortable, the twin-turbo V6 engine produces 440-horsepower and 510-pound feet of torque, a configuration that projects quiet confidence. It deftly handles its hefty 6000 pounds and corners with authority. The ride was so smooth that we didn’t even feel a 5.2-earthquake shake road beneath us that rattled the San Andreas Fault.

Lincoln has leaned in further to its chill vibes as it builds on its mindful thesis with tech features. The newest version of partial autonomy, BlueCruise 1.4, makes it easier to toggle into partially hands-free driving on stretches of highway. A touch of the turn signal makes the car change lanes, nice and easy. Speed is modulated to keep a careful arm’s length from the cars ahead.

Mirror functions were a bit fussy to set through a button command near the wheel, but most customers won’t adjust after setting up for their first drive. To access the car’s infotainment options, including the Google based system, we used voice and the 11.1-inch central touchscreen. One of its smartest add-ons is a simple Quick Tips app in the infotainment systems to quickly solve how-tos in the car.

We started our day drive in a tip-top Black Label that starts at a price of $116,985 and rode on 24-inch wheels. It’s chock full of amenities. Later we switched into a Reserve vehicle, priced at $ 99,995. This model is equipped with standard 22-inch wheels.

The split liftgate on the 2025 Lincoln Navigator. Photo: Lincoln.

When parked, Navigator brings the party to the back. It’s split folded liftgate is perfect for hosting. At a lunch stop, clever event designers transformed the rear into a decadent pastry table. Meanwhile backseat riders will lounge in the option for comfy cabin chairs and an entertainment system with a ton of offerings. When we test out the backseats, we opted in for a rolling massage.

Lincoln doubled down on its message for wellness in its launch event programming. San Diego yoga instructor Ashley Accad led a nighttime guided meditation and morning yoga for Lincoln driving journalists. We asked her how to unwind while driving Navigator. She suggested a shower meditation. “When you're in the shower you're imagining things like washing off of you and you step out of the shower essentially like a new person in the same way thatwhen you're getting off work you get into your car and it becomes a ritual for you. You choose whatever meditation that you might be seeking to feel for what's next in your day.”

When on the road, she encouraged us think about our seating position. “While you're driving you want it to be a supportive seated position where your spine isn't doing or your body's not doing extra work to keep you upright.” The 30 settings on the Black Label and back seat pillow would be good bolsters.

No matter how comfortable the Navigator may seem, wellness in the mind is dependent on on how we feel in our bodies. After a long afternoon driving the Navigator, it’s important to get out and stretch, says Accad. “You want to bring movement back in the body and fluidity back into your joints. You really want to grease those joints.” Next time, we’ll be on the lookout for in-car yoga.